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8/13/2019 very bad story

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Rosu: Pareri

Portocaliu: Edit propriu. Ignora-l daca nu corespunde stilului tau; e mai mult ca sa te

ajute sa intelegi ce vreau sa transmit

Dog Streets

The deceased wont mind i! I tell "ou what happened# $ut others might hunt me i! certain

things are revealed a$out me# a$out the cit" and a$out her.

Interesant inceputul. Evoca din start o anumita reticenta# ce te !ace sa te intre$i daca

naratorul spune totul sau retine ceva pentru el. %hiar imi place Totusi# pentru a-i

imprima mai multa putere# cred ca e necesar sa sugere&i macar cine il vanea&a. 'nele

persoane au de asemenea o ciudatenie legata de personaje care li se adresea&a

cititorului# asa ca poti modi!ica partea respectiva daca doresti(Eg: The dead dont care

!or stories. )thers do. I! I reveal certain things a$out me# a$out the cit" and a$out her#

the" will hunt me.*

Ever"thing started with her. She wandered around m" $loc+s entrance in the dead o!

night# a pale and slim !igure against the sic+ "ellow o! the streetlights# $arel" holding on

the dar+ness that shrouded the vagrant street !rom which I came. ,i descris !oarte

!rumos aparitia ei# si ne-ai ajutat sa ne !ormulam o imagine. u te lungi# caci nu e

necesar.

etween her jittering/!idgeting(parca se potriveste mai $ine* around the alle"wa" and

home so close# relie! settled in and I wanted to get closer to her Suna cam ciudat !ra&a


2/24

aceasta. 0esajul nu este $ine !ormulat# si aduci iar in discutie cadrul initial(Deja stim ca

era la intrarea pe strada tipului din paragra!ul anterior*.. The thought that she turned

tric+s at the !ront o! m" entrance struc+ me ('hm...cam ciudat. Tipul asta nu o

cunoaste# si deja sare la conclu&ii1 %red ca ar !i mai mult curios in privinta ei !ara sa se

gandeasca la ceva anume*# although I never saw her $e!ore. So I did. 2e did what1

I wal+ed straight ahead# not loo+ing at her# just the two o! us dwar!ed $" the apartment

$uildings# not a light switched on !rom the !loors a$ove# not a car horning its wa"

through. She wore a red shirt $igger than her. 2er e"es shi!ted le!t and right li+e she

was high or something )r something nu e3prima nimic. ,void using a$stract terms#

unless the conte3t is !avora$le. )r care!ul. ,s I passed near her# she whispered i! I

wanted a girl# her voice stopping me as i! a hand curled into m" chest and crushed m"

heart. E ceva prea ela$orat# si parca nu se potriveste. 4asa scurt si la o$iect.

I !ro&e. 56hat- what girl1 2ow much17 De ce mai intre$a daca stia despre ce e vor$a1

58or !uc+in#7 she said# li+e it was o$vious. It was.Sometimes# less is more. 4asa dialogul

sa descrie. 9ar$age !oiled ever so slightl" a$ove the ground# rummaging through the

wind# its crumpling and our voices the onl" things that could $e heard $esides the dogs

$ar+ing !rom the par+ near$". This is mostl" a$out pre!erences# dar eu nu prea agree&

descrierea atunci cand intrerupe un moment tensionant pentru personaj. 0ai degra$a

as descrie ce simtea personajul# cat de uimit/revoltat/whatever e(Ii transpira mainile1Se

$al$aie1u isi mai gaseste cuvintele1 Inghite in sec1*

e!ore I did an"thing# I had to +now/ I couldnt thin+ o! an"thing.: 56hat girl 17

50e. 8or nothing.7


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ehind her# across the street# lamp posts stood idle $" the strong wind# their lights

!lic+ering through the !oliage o! the par+ trees #a dog rummaged through trash in search

o! !ood. Its mercurial dog e"es slithered in the !aint a!terlight as it glanced at us.

I said o+a". 6h" not1 I e3actl" had that amount in m" wallet. This girl# with a tattoo on

her arm which resem$led some crescent moon# I dont +now# said the magic num$er. It

was !ate... )r just some desperate hoo+er tr"in to ma+e a uic+ $uc+. )ne weird

desperate hoo+er. u am inteles mare lucru din paragra!ul acesta. Scurtea&a-l putin si

pastrea&a esentialul.

)+. 6h" not17

The girl smiled and too+ m" hand. She had a tattoo on her arm. , crescent moon. I

didnt +now what to ma+e o! it. 6hat to ma+e o! her intentions. 0a"$e she was just a

desperate hoo+er.

5So# "ou wanna !uc+17 she as+ed# her e"es si&ing me up. o$od" else wal+ed on the

street.

I nodded/ said "es.

,t this point/ ,s we wal+ed towards her place# I watched over m" shoulder !or her pimp

showing to show up up. The image o! him watching me !uc+ her wasnt nice. The image

o! 2im $eating me up wasnt nice# as well. ,!ter wasting more than time with m" !riends#

leaving me alone in this state# someone could pun+ me. Eas". Then again# the street

seemed empt". ,i mentionat mai devreme ca nu mergea nimeni pe strada. Partea cu

prietenii nu o inteleg. )ricum nu are ce cauta in acest conte3t.


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The screetching o! wheels stopped me in m" trac+s. , white van slowed down as it

approached us# then uic+l" $ooted o!!. ,midst the roaring engine# I could hear asta se

numeste !ilter ver$. Toate constructiile de genul I heard/I saw/I !elt sunt !ilter ver$s.

,cestea au tendinta de a reduce din puterea unei actiuni# cum e in momentul de !ata.

%ompara e3emplul meu cu varianta ta. Parca suna mai $ine# nu-i asa1 the girl sa"ing

something li+e lets go $ehind this $uilding/ The girl tugged at m" arm and said

something# $ut it was lost in the engines roar . ut I $arel" too+ notice. The ground

wo$$led under m" !eet# echoing the vans rush through the $lac+ end o! the street.

I $ac+ed awa" !rom her. I had to get up earl" in the morning. I had to chec+ !or summer

jo$s# just in time to get the mone" needed !or the seaside escapade. 0" an+les tensed#

m" e"elids $arel" stood open and "et# I wanted to !inish this# get this girl in the par+ing

lot $ehind m" !lat and do her. %e tare

5I +now a good place7# I said to her as Id started wal+ing awa" !rom m" entrance#

toward the tunnel that too+ us there. I too+ a !ew steps# $ut the damn dogs caught a

whi!! o! me# and $ar+ed all the wa" !rom the par+ just at 0oi. I gasped. 0" s+in !elt li+e it

was pinched# their white !angs appearing so clear# so close to me. I !ound m"sel! telling

the dogs to shut the !uc+ up. 4i+e that would wor+. I had to sta" calm/ too+ a deep

$reath. a&ea&a-te mai mult pe actiuni decat pe chestii de genul: I had to do this/I had

to sta" calm. )ri !ace# ori nu !ace ceva personajul. ,sta vor sa stie cititorii. u ce

trebuie sa !aca.

5I dont wanna to go too !ar. I! "ou waste m" time# Ill just !ind someone else.7


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2er voice shoo+ me awa" !rom their loc+down. I pee+ed $ac+. The dogs still too+ their

turns $ar+ing.

5o# no# $ehind m"< uhm< this $uilding theres a good spot# a par+ing lot.7

I could have done $etter. o matter# the par+ing lot reall" seemed a good place# cars

rarel" passed there during the da"# $ut in the night1 )ther worries crept alongside m"

not so clear head.

5=ou dont have a pimp# do "ou17

She loo+ed almost insulted. Descri$e this loo+.

5I dont hang around that +ind o! people# dont worr" a$out it.7

ut I did. I said lets go and went !or the tunnel# with her !ollowing me# the dogs

retreating $ac+ to the par+. I stu!!ed m" hands into m" poc+ets# !eeling the cell phone.

6as as cold as this night when those three !uc+s riding a scooter tried to mug m"

phone# not !ar !rom here. o cars now to scare them awa". ,lta aditie care nu contri$uie

la momentul actual.

ear the tunnel# I still peered $ac+ at the par+. Empt"# e3cept !or the dogs. I lost m"

$alance over a rod# +ic+ed it o!! and resumed crossing the tunnel# with her !ollowing me#

$ut alwa"s two or three steps $ehind me. ot in a straight line# alwa"s deviating a little

to the le!t or to the right. )utside the tunnel# two ha&" !igures stood on a concrete sla$

coming out the $uilding# their !eatures erased $" the star+ $lue neon shining a$ove their

heads. Their !aces turned to each other and $ac+ at me. 6hen the grunts and growls

started haunting the par+ing wa"# I couldnt care less. ig mutts# small $astards and


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ever" !rea+in dog !rom this planet crawled !rom under the cars stationed there# and

grinned their teeth awa" at me.

I tried to avoid them# $ut their heads would pop out at m" !lan+s and !lash their whites

li+e the" reall" meant it. I tried to ignore them# told them with m" minds e"e to sta" put#

as Ive searched a good place !or< well# !uc+ing. 6hen I saw the $o3 garage just at the

edge o! the par+ing lot# I +new Ive !ound it. The two gu"s still stood near the tunnel.

The" couldnt have $een with her. ,t worst# the" might just thin+ a$out !ilming me with

their phones or something.

6ith the dogs still $ar+ing at us# running around us# their tearing screeches mu!!led

what I tried to sa" to her# to tell her to go to that garage. I pointed her at it# she said

whatever and raced ahead o! me# through the $arrage o! dogs# and this time# I !ollowed

her. I still loo+ed around. The girl laughed at me# said that no one will come. 2ell# the

dogs le!t us alone. I said I was watching !or cars# $ut she got impatient. I tried to touch

her and then the par+ing lot trem$led under the loud throttling moan o! engine passing

close. Real close.

I stepped awa" !rom her. I pee+ed around the $o3 garage# and $ac+ at her# !ull"

dressed. 0" stomach !elt li+e hole got punched into it. , white van sped in the par+ing

lots entrance# and then stopped dead on# not !ar !rom us.

I told her to go $ac+ to the tunnel and le!t the $o3 garage# her $ehind me# $ut again with

that weird# jolted wa" o! wal+ing. I saw no dogs as we reached the two gu"s# still sitting

under that neon light. 6e waited several minutes until it le!t. The van rever$erated its

departure as a loud $ang in the night stillness. I told her that its gone# that we can go


7/24

$ac+. She protested# she said that cops will come to that place now. I disagreed. The

two gu"s sitting near the tunnel posed as a $igger pro$lem than the cops showing up.

The cops dont care# I told her. She re!used to listen# started tal+ing a$out some car that

!ollowed her the other night# and how she doesnt want getting pic+ed up $" the police.

,t the end# she warned me that shell just go awa".

76hat1 o# no wa"# its not over "et.7

I headed toward the garage# said that we should just !inish it alread" and she !ollowed

me# reluctantl". 6e reached the garage. 6e stopped near its wall when I heard tires

scratching the alphalt# releasing this high pitched !riction sound that pinched m" ears. I

$ac+ed awa" !rom her# muttered something and loo+ed $e"ond the garage.

The van !rom $e!ore stood again at the par+ing lots e3it. This time# it had the drivers

seat door open. , $lac+ clothed man got out o! it# his !igure resem$ling some +ind o! a

statue in the cold ha&e o! the dar+ness. 2e $egan running at us.

I wanted to run home# to go up and just loc+ the door# $ut that meant running !rom the

cops# i! he was a cop. 2ome was close. So I did.

I ran awa" !rom the $o3 garage. The girl started running too. I ran hal!wa" towards the

tunnel# and then his grip stopped me to the point that m" legs !lew o!! the ground and

almost into the air !rom the sudden halt. The !oreign !ingers eased their clench and let

me go. ,ir never !elt so chill. I got up and !aced the dar+ man.


8/24

2is $lac+ attires loo+ed more li+e a uni!orm. 2is !ace suggested that he was in his

!ort"s. etter to shut up then to sa" something# I thought. 2e could have $een an"one.

4et him spea+ !irst.

The middle aged man moved his e"es $etween me and the girl and as+ed:

5Did "ou have se3 with the !emale17

I shivered. 6hether shoc+ or cold did that to me# I dont +now. ut when he mentioned

the girl# I saw her sta"ing put# li+e she tried to understand what the !uc+ just happened.

2e shoo+ me with $oth his hands and as+ed me again the same uestion# now staring

at the girl.

5Is< is this a jo+e1 o# I didnt. I didnt even touch her.7

5,ll right.7

2e tuc+ed his shirt in.

54isten to me# and listen well. 9o. ac+. 2ome. ow. 'se ever" deodorant "ou have#

and spra" it >till its empt".7

2e turned his head $ac+ at the van !or a second# then resumed.

5)r $etter "et# get "oursel! underwater# in the $athtu$ or whatever "ou can !ind# and do

it as !ast as possi$le.7

2e pointed at the girl.


9/24


10/24

I turned to go !or the two gu"s# $ut the dogs jumped around me. The" snapped their

jaws as the" pulled their circle tighter# with 0oi in the center. I moved !orward. )ne

pushed awa" !rom the ra$id mo$. 2is teeth punctured m" jeans# the wet !angs

scratching m" s+in as it the" loc+ed tight. I shoved m" leg $ac+ and !orward to throw

him o!! $alance $ut he didnt $udge. ,nother one slipped around m" $ac+# tried to snap

o!! m" !ingers. I !linched. I raised m" hands in the air and waved them around# tr"ing to

scare them. I +ic+ed the dog $iting m" jeans in the stomach with one stead" !oot and

distanced m"sel! !rom them. The" didnt stop.

, stic+ rolled $" the tip o! m" !oot caught m" e"es amidst the !urious hounds. I pic+ed it

up# the cold metal !ree&ing m" palms in the tight grip# and swiped it in !ront o! them.

0ight have said a !ew curse words at the dogs. ,nd "et# the" didnt stop. The" just got

madder# nearer# !iercer# tr"ing to ta+e a $ite out o! me# !ull interloc+ed sharp teeth into

m" !lesh. I !lashed the rod into one o! their heads. I could !eel its $ones smirched with

dirt" end o! the rod as its s+in tear up against the impact.

That was nothing. , hissing $u&&ed m" ears $e!ore a deep $ass $lasted m" insides. 0"

hands shoo+ as the shrie+ing $ecame $one piercing in its increasing pitch. I !elt na+ed

in a harsh winter storm. It silenced the dogs. In those seconds the par+ing lot $ecame a

deca"ing picture that the long howl shredded apart# li+e it crac+ed open the ver"

concrete on which we stood. It sounded li+e a howl# at least. 0onsters made that sound.

I gripped that rod tighter. Sweat never !elt so cold. The dogs !led. Satis!action would

have settled in i! not !or that ungodl" cr"# or whatever it was. I headed !or the two gu"s.


11/24

The" stoop up# $ic+ering# hands in the air# pointing at the s+". The" noticed me coming.

The" laughed# and then uic+l" hid it with a smir+. The white dressed one with white

shoes# pro$a$l" $oth o! them !rom a clu$ near$"# approached me# his hand resting on

his $elt.

5Did"a hear that17 he as+ed me.

5=eah# sure I heard it. Dont +now what it was# though.7

2is !riend# @al# came closer to us.

56hat happened to the chic+17 @al as+ed.

5%hic+1 =ou mean-5

5She sti!!ed "ou# right17

The other gu" pla"ed with his $elt# loo+ed around and $ac+ at me and said:

5I wouldnt !uc+ her i! she paid me.7

5She was a whore# right17 @al +ept as+ing# $arel" hiding his grin.

5Does it matter1 Im !uc+in worried a$out that !uc+in sound we just hear earlier.7 I said

to them. I meant it. I as+ed i! the" saw where the girl went. @al loo+ed at the tunnel and

then at me and said:

52ow old are "ou# +id17

5Eighteen.7 I lied. 5ow# did "ou or did "ou not see where she went17


12/24

@als !riend said that she le!t through the tunnel# to the par+# he thought. I ran !or the

tunnel and through it# going !or the street. I thin+ the two gu"s "elled !or me $ac+ in the

par+ing lot# $ut her image distracted me. She wal+ed across the street# in !ront o! the

par+. 6ith each $reath# air e3punged m" lungs as i! !irecrac+ers $urned and popped in

them# stopping me $e!ore I caught up with her. I "elled at to come $ac+.

She loo+ed at me with a sad# empt" !ace. In a rough voice# she said that its too late.

o# no# no.

I said that I dont care a$out that an"more. She stopped then started wal+ing again# into

the par+# dar+ness eating her $e"ond the streetlights reach. She said something# $ut I

couldnt catch it# as the dogs $ar+s gar$led her words# lost in the si$erian wind that

pushed me $ac+ in its sudden intensit". Silence swept the middle o! the street a!ter the

wind gave its last $reath# allowing me to hear the suish" paws $eating on the soil#

interrupted $" the sharp screeches o! the growls.

8uc+. %ould she $e this stupid1

I turned around# and the two gu"s !rom $e!ore came out o! the tunnel. I +ept the stic+#

just in case. 0" !ingers itched. The same electrical $u&& that charged the air and

pinched m" ears in the par+ing lot passed through me again. 0" an+les so!tened under

m" weight. , deep# perverted howl !ell over the night s+"# much closer this time#

drawing me to its source li+e it suc+ed all the air toward it# toward the creature.

,t the dar+ end o! the street it stood# a translucent distortion with edges unclear as i!

smo+e covered it. ,!ter a silver" !lash# it disappeared. I dropped the stic+. , $rie! dra!t


13/24

!luttered m" clothes. The huge shapeless mass reappeared# passing right in !ront o! the

two men. 0etal suealed $e!ore its weight# $ending the chassis o! the cars it jumped

on. The creature too+ one leap into the air and landed in the par+. The thud it made

scared all the dogs awa" !rom it# running in pac+s all over the street. I heard the gu"s

screaming and saw them coming !or me.

The thing ignored me# the two gu"s# $ut it had a destination# right $ehind the girl. Those

two reached me and as+ed what the hell that was. )ne o! them# the white dressed one#

cursed something a$out his car.

@al said that it loo+ed li+e a $ear and in that instant his !riend shouted at him# as+ed him

how can a $ear do that.

I didnt +now what to sa". I gra$$ed the stic+# the gu" dressed in white too+ out

something shin" out o! his pants# and said that we should call the police. The other one

too+ out his cell phone and dialed the cops.

5o signal.7

Same at m" phone.

50" !uc+ing car# man# m" !uc+in-5

, thin voice screamed# !ollowed $" the crac+ling noise o! a tree descending !rom its

towering posture. I loo+ed $ac+ at the gu"s# and the white one held a gun aimed at the

par+.

5Im gonna +ill it. ear# no $ear# its dead.7 2e loo+ed at his !riend and continued:


14/24

5@al# get 0i+e# hes on dut"# and tell him to get his ass here right !uc+in now.7

@al said that theres still no signal and as+ed me:

56ait# the whore# the girl !rom $e!ore# shes in there17

I too+ a step closer to the par+. I said "es.

@al said to search !or ca$s# ma"$e the"ll help. The other one ordered us to sta" here#

to loo+ !or them. I wal+ed $ehind him# $ut @al gra$$ed m" shoulder.

52ell no# "oure not leaving me alone.7

56hat a$out "our pal17

52es a cop.7

The cop alread" entered the par+# the !lic+ering lights $arel" containing the mur+iness

that concealed him !rom us as he delved deeper into the pitch $lac+. The moment I

too+ m" e"es o!! the par+# a gunshot thundered throughout the street# then nothing $ut

silence. I said to @al that we should go to m" place and as+ !or help there.

, second gunshot came# as loud as the !irst. The twitching light $ul$s $linded me in

their !lic+ering hot $ursts. I couldnt help it. The pause $etween total dar+ness and their

uic+ "ellow &aps drew m" e"es at them# showing onl" glimpses o! the shadows that

came !rom par+. Shadows without noise.

@al tried to !ind a ca$ without going an" !urther# $ut no luc+. 0" s+in ripped apart $"

some man eating $east# that cop d"ing in there# the girl alread" dead# these thoughts

struc+ m" mind li+e a hammer. I raised m" hand to $loc+ the anno"ing light# pee+ed at


15/24

the desperate gu" right $eside me# sections o! his shirt drenched in sweat. I too had

cloths stuc+ to m" s+in.

8aint taps came !rom the par+.

I strained m" e"es to get a $etter loo+. , lean !igure glimpsed through the !lashes o!

light. It got clearer# closer# emerging !rom the con!ines o! the harrowing trees as a patch

o! dull white amidst the in+" night s+". The cop escaped !rom the par+. I couldnt do

an"thing $ut stare at him# his !ace carved $" !ear# his lips moving $ut no sound coming

!rom them. 2e $arel" stopped right in !ront o! me# gra$$ed m" shirt with enough

strength to li!t me up and gar$led something.

Run. 2uge. lood. Scales. E"e. 4ost. %oming. Run. ,nd so I did.

,s I ran# the" caught up with me. I spurted in the hectic motion to go to m" place# mostl"

undistur$ed in its sleeping residents# onl" !ew o! the windows gleaming with curious

!aces. The !loor door supported m" weight when I reached it# m" hand pushing into the

cold glass. It didnt open.

I searched !or the +e"s with $oth hands# throwing the rod awa"# !eeling each poc+et.

)ne o! them pushed me# "elled at me to open the door alread". I said to them to shut

the !uc+ up. 0" !ingers sensed a $ulge and gra$$ed whatever it was.

The +e"s stung m" grip. I opened the door and got in# holding it until the" got inside# $ut

onl" the @al was $ehind me. I shut the door in one !ast push and alread" clim$ed up the

stairs. I as+ed him where the cop was.


16/24

2e saw him right $esides us# @al said# just $e!ore we reached m" entrance. The $ear

must have gotten him# he "elled.

ears dont $ar+# I said. 6hatever it was# I wasnt sure that the door would hold the

creature and sure as hell I didnt want to sta" down here to see it. I said to him that we

must go up to m" apartment and get help !rom the neigh$ors# $ut he ignored me# his

ga&e !i3ed at the glass door. 2e said in a calm voice that he must go out and ta+e his

!riends gun. It sat just $e"ond the glass door.

I le!t the +e"s inside the door. I "elled at him to loc+ it# $ut he slit the door open and

stretched his arm out towards the gun. 2e too+ it and closed the door. 2e turned the

+e" and pulled it out# metal ringing against metal in the hollow !loor wa".

@al threw the +e" at me# $ut the metallic screeching at the end o! the hallwa" sta$$ed

m" chest. Deer !elt li+e this $e!ore the ramming cars.

The $ac+ door at the end o! the hallwa"# !ull metal plated# had a $ump where one hasnt

e3isted $e!ore. The screeches erupted again# the metal $ending under what had to $e

creatures pounding.

It cant $rea+ that door# I said. I dont +now i! I lied to m"sel!. The cops !riend !ell on the

stairs. I o!!ered him a hand# he gra$$ed it and I dragged him up to the elevator. I

glanced at the $ac+door. The pounding ceased.

The tiling patterns on the !loor seemed !u&&". I held m" chin up. I almost $ar!ed right

there and then while calling the elevator. The girl could have lived# wounded# waiting !or

help. The creature might have le!t her alone when we got in its wa". @al screamed at


17/24

me to get in the elevator. It just arrived. 0" !eet wouldnt let me. ,cross the street# she

could have $led to death.

6e got up to the second !loor. 2e +ept as+ing me where m" apartment was. I said to

him that we have to get help# !or the girl and !or his !riend. 2e aimed the gun at me and

demanded o! me to open the door alread". I agreed# I said to him to calm down. That

gun in his hands was too dangerous.

I pulled the +e"s out# $ut the" slipped m" !ingers. 2e pic+ed them up under m" nose

and wiggled them in !ront o! me# as+ing which the apartment +e" is. I $um$led

something and too+ the +e"s !rom him and opened the door. 2e entered the apartment

$e!ore me. I pee+ed at the stairs. othing. I closed the door and loc+ed it.

2e as+ed me where m" phone was# $ut I told him that theres still no signal. @al said he

wanted the house phone. I headed !or the living room# !ound it and gave it to him. I

pic+ed up the remote and turned on the T@. )nl" static appeared. The gun was thrown

on the ta$le.

The line is dead# he said while staring at the T@. I too+ the phone !rom his hands and no

connection $eeped. Ever"thing was dead.

one o! us could have +nown.

ut the neigh$ors phones mightve wor+ed# ma"$e the" could help in saving the girl# i!

she was alive. ,nd most importantl"# save us.

I gra$$ed the gun. I said to him that Ill go out and as+ the neigh$ors !or help. @al ran at

me li+e he wanted to tac+le me. I pointed the gun at him. 2e stopped. I warned him to


18/24

not mess with me and le!t the living room. I "elled that I have spra" deodorant on the

door !irst# just li+e the middle aged man told me.

@al as+ed me wh" I would do that. I had no time !or e3planations. I went into m" room#

gun pointed at him# scru$$ed around to !ind m" deodorant# too+ it and returned to see

him staring out the windows.

I got closer to nearest one. Shards o! glass la" on the ground in !ront o! the entrance#

$rea+ing apart with uic+# sharp pings under the creatures weight. I could see a silver"

tail $e!ore it vanished into the $uilding.

2e as+ed i! that was the thing. I said "es. )r ma"$e it wasnt# ma"$e m" e"es acted up#

m" mind made things up in this nightmare that didnt seem to end.

It never did.

,nother cars engine echoed loudl" amidst the tall $uildings. , speeding van !led

through the !arthest and dar+est spots o! the street# onl" its white margins glimmering

$" the "ellow pools o! light it $ounced over. , person ran a!ter it# engorged in the same

pitch $lac+# !ading out o! e3istence as he pursued the van into the em$racing $lac+

hori&on.

The monster was $e"ond the apartments door# as was she. I had to do it now. I

stepped awa" !rom the window# and in the moment I turned toward the door he too+ me

$" m" $ac+# his hands tr"ing to gra$ the gun# tightl" clenched around m" !ingers.

I $ashed it against his head. I said to him that I have to spra" the door# I have to get

help.


19/24

2e covered his $ruise and as+ed i! I was cra&". 6ith m" gun aimed at him# the thought

that he was right struc+ me. 0a"$e she was dead. ut I had to +now !or sure.

I got to the door and opened it# one hand with the gun# the other with the deodorant.

The ne3t door neigh$or propped himsel! to his entrance# wearing a long gown# hand

resting on the side hinges. 2is !ace $leached white as the ceiling lamp !lic+ered into

e3istence at our presence# and he as+ed what was going on.

%all the cops now# I said to him while spra"ing the deodorant on m" wooden !ront door#

much more !ragile than the metal plates that held the creature $ac+. Then I saw it.

)ne o! its e"es glowed ru$" red# shi!ting its si&e while the creature sni!!ed around the

hall in short# stu!!" $reaths. 6hen it stopped its ga&e at me# m" muscles melted. The

!ish silver" dreadloc+s that wormed out o! its hide shi!ted their colors to a coal $lac+ !or

a $rie! moment and it lighted the !loor with a red hot !lash that resem$led some +ind o! a

$lit&. The thing disappeared completel".

0" nec+ choc+ed with this $ile rising up !rom m" stomach. It approached me as a

predator stal+ed its pre"# le!t !or dead against the might" ra&or sharp claws and teeth

sliding out towards m" !lesh# read" to eat me.

, cold touch $rushed over m" hand and relieved me o! the guns weight. I pee+ed at the

straight arm hanging $esides me and then the gun $lasted a red hot shoc+wave out its

$arrel that threw me to the ground# hands over ears. 8ingers dug their wa" into m" shirt#

tr"ing to pull me inside the apartment. @al crouched on his +nees while shooting at the

walls# his other hand still pulling me inside.


20/24


21/24

ran awa" !rom me. There I noticed the pavement under me smeared with a long $lood

trail that e3tended to the small arti!icial lagoon nested in a stone $asin.

I sidestepped !rom the $lood# m" $oots smearing it !urther with each !ootprint. I could

have slept on the ground# !ace in the mud. I headed !or a $ench near$"# $ut a!ter a

shallow hiss o! the cold air# I heard her calling !or me.

0" chest was a$out to $urst open. I loo+ed around me# $ut saw no one. I thin+ I tal+ed

to m"sel! at that point. ,nd worse# I heard whispers slashing and crac+ling a$ove me# to

the le!t o! me# to the right o! me# under me# li+e the" mani!ested !rom the air itsel!# the

soil thro$$ing along with small droplets o! water jittering $eneath m" !eet. It started

raining. , punch o! water splashed into m" !ace# cold water !rom the pond. She rose

!rom it# her wet clothes tight to her s+in# her head dripping with $lood over one o! her

e"es# washed o!! $" the sprin+led raindrops.

She noticed me staring at it and covered it with her palm. She as+ed i! the monster hurt

me. She as+ed wh" I didnt run.

I stuttered. I limped at her and $arel" managed to as+ her $etween m" trem$ling lips

and sha+" sel! how she got out alive.

The water# she said. She just got in the water. I said to her that we have get out o! here

now# while we still have time. 6h" we have time# I didnt mention to her.

ut it was too late. The howling si&&led $e!ore the sloshing rain.

I cursed it. I cursed the world. I cursed an"one on m" mind. ecause it was too soon#

too !uc+in soon to die li+e this. I gra$$ed her hand and too+ her out o! the pond. She


22/24

$arel" stood on her own# her legs li+e two misplaced na+ed# s+inn" stic+s tr"ing to !ind

their $alance on the ground. ?ust li+e me. 4oo+ing into her a$sent# $loodshot e"e# the

other still covered $" her hand# I +new she was drawing the creature out# and in its hunt

it will +ill her and then me.

,nother growl screeched m" ears# closer this time. I let go o! her and stuc+ m" palms

shut over the ears. lan+ets o! water covered ever"thing under the hailstorm# m"

$uilding gone in the mist" arcs disintegrating into tin" raindrops as the" descended !rom

the ashen clouds.

The storm threw a wall o! water against me. I cleared m" e"es and saw it $e!ore the

street# wandering around in the rain# the earth ua+ing as its stature grew larger# a calm

void distorting the world re!racted through it. Two spec+le o! lights shined $rilliantl" !rom

the creature then di!!used into nothingness.

I "elled at her to hide. 6hat image struc+ m" mind I $ashed it out with m" !ist. I went to

the middle o! the street# empt" o! cars and people. ?ust me and the creature. lood

lea+ed over m" e"e# down m" nose.

I screamed at monster. 2it the puddles with the rod to attract its attention. I did.

Its red e"e haw+ed through the wish wash o! the slopping rain# $eaming at me# into m"

ver" e"es. It growled li+e a thunder. 0" !eet seemed glued to the white line mar+ing the

middle o! the street# drenched in an overgrowing puddle o! water.

Im gonna give "ou time# $a$". The $est time "ou ever had.


23/24

The things head lost its camou!lage# then his entire hus+# the silver" dreadloc+s wet

with dripping water and phosphorous $lood# its other e"e swollen# almost $ulging# rivers

o! dar+ green $lood streaming !rom it. In a glimpse# the creature !aded awa".

I !ell down on m" side. , vorte3 o! air siphoned around me. I pushed the rod into the

ground and rolled over# m" other hand pinched $" needles as it touched the wet road. It

crashed near me with a splash# the rain dropping over me in $ounc" spec+s against the

unseea$le. )nl" its ru$" e"e !lared in the night storm# an arms reach !rom me.

I speared the rod in its red e"e# $arel" registering the impact. ,ir slightl" a$ove the

asphalt distorted# drops o! water !l"ing m" wa" $e!ore it. I tried to dodge it# $ut couldnt

get up in time. The thing threw me awa" head down# !eet in the air. I used m" hands to

prop m"sel! up. The rod was gone. The creature stood at some distance !rom me# its

nose suc+ing the air around it in loud# whee&ing $reaths.

8ingers curled into a !ist# I outstretched m" arms $e!ore the creature# nothing $etween

me and the monster# until that shimmer o! light caught the corner o! m" e"e. Do it# I

thought. 8inish it. I actuall" smiled.

The van $la&ed $" me and rammed into it at !ull speed. 0" an+les gave up# m" lungs

shriveled# m" $od" sun+ into the puddle o! water.

I $lac+ed out and wo+e up in a hospital. Reporters harassed me the moment I opened

m" e"es. 6h" did "ou attac+ the $ear1 2ow did "ou survive1 6h" didnt "ou run1 6as I

a hero1


24/24

I dont +now. I never saw the girl a!ter that night. The cops $od" was !ound mangled

$ac+ in the par+ing lot. 0" neigh$or couldnt descri$e much o! what he saw# mostl"

$ecause he loc+ed himsel! in his apartment when the gun!ire erupted. ,s !or the van

and the middle age man# not a word.

In the uiet moments# I pressed m" !ingers on m" $andaged stomach# three long cuts

pouring $lood through the linen dressing. Pain pinched the s+in around the scars and

surged short stro+es up to m" hands as i! to stop them. I remained immo$ili&ed to m"

$ed !or the !irst !ew da"s# m" leg and arm !astened into a cast !or some time.

In the last morning I noticed# turning around in m" $ed# a dog repellent whistle

a$andoned on the ta$le near$".

I too+ it. ,!ter the" discharged me# allowing me to ta+e m" !irst steps on m" own# the

sun alread" crossed the hori&on# onl" its ha&e shimmering in a ghastl" orange "ellow

$etween the cit" $loc+s. Dogs resting under the cars par+ed near the hospital loo+ed up

at me. I loo+ed down at them. )ne o! them got out and stopped in !ront me# $ar+ing.

I sometimes wonder what the"re thin+ing.

I threw the whistle to the ground. I just loo+ed at him. ,ll alone amidst his companions#

!acing 0oi. 2e whimpered and ran o!! to the shadows.

8ear never le!t me since that night. I $ecame 8ear.

very bad story

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